Dear Children

Cael, today we took one of the training wheels off your bike. You will be riding a two wheeler in no time! How did this happen? How did you go from a teeny tiny baby – at your smallest a mere 4 pounds 9 ounce to a big 4 ½ year old boy? I remember the day that you were born like it was yesterday. I remember how I only got to see you for a moment before the doctors whisked you away to the NICU since you 5 weeks premature. I had to wait 15 agonizing hours before I was allowed to hold you. I will never forget the morning when I was discharged from the hospital. The nurses were so kind and told me to “use” my room for the day even though technically I was no longer a patient. Your daddy and I left that room at 11:30p.m that night! I just could not bear the thought of leaving the hospital without my baby. That night at home I sat in your empty room and cried. I sat in your empty room every night for 2 weeks and prayed to God that the nurses were taking good care of my boy. They did, and you got big and strong. My “buckwheat” grew to be chunky 20 pounds at 6 months and now 50 pounds at 4 ½ years! You have been such a fun boy to have around. You are so loving and kind and funny. You always make my day brighter and bring me so much laughter. Cael, I love you.

Avery, today you used the words “actually” and “probably” correctly in a sentence. When did this happen? When did you go from being our little “peanut” to such an independent 2 ½ year old little lady? I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. Like your big brother, you were in a hurry to come into this world. At four weeks early, you seemed so tiny - 5 pounds 15 ounces but only 18 inches long. I was nervous about having a second baby. Would I be able to love a second child the same way I loved my firstborn? But God has a way of expanding a Mother’s heart with more than enough love for all her children. I was so excited to have a baby girl. I didn’t find out your gender before your birth, but in the deepest corners of my heart I wanted a girl. I wanted to buy pink, I wanted to buy hair bows – I wanted someone to share my lip gloss with! Immediately, your Daddy was a big ball of mush. He kept saying “Oh, she is so beautiful. Isn’t she the prettiest baby?” I totally agreed. You were a serious, but content baby. Now you are a funny, independent little lady. Instead of needing me to change your diapers you ask me to the leave the bathroom so you can go potty all by yourself! You love princesses. I love that you love princesses! You remind me every time we drop Cael off at preschool that when you get bigger you will go to school, too. Oh, how I will miss you…

Gabriel, today your daddy laid you down for a nap on your tummy, and when I went to get you after you had awoken you were sitting up in your crib! You sat up all by yourself! While you were babbling this afternoon you “said” mom,mom,mom. I know you are just making sounds, but I am putting dibs on your first word being “mom”! You have two teeth. How did this happen? How did you go from a newborn to almost 8 months old! I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. Three weeks early, you were a whole 2 pounds bigger than your sister – 7 pounds 15 ounces. You had a hard time transitioning to this big world and had to be monitored in the hospital nursery for rapid breathing and heart rate. I didn’t get to see you for 5 long hours. You were prefect and I was so excited to have another boy! When you were 7 weeks old you were admitted to the hospital for breathing issues. Within 24 hours you were transferred to the intensive care unit. I never have been so scared in all my life. Your daddy and I cried and cried and cried. Two weeks later you were flown to another hospital for treatment. I will never forget how terrified I was to send you on a helicopter with two strangers to a hospital 4 hours away. I kept praying “please take care of baby, please take care of my baby”. As if 18 days in the hospital wasn’t enough for one little life, you contracted RSV. Back into the hospital you went for another 9 days. Now you are a big, healthy baby. You are quick to smile, and have the sweetest baby giggles. You love to snuggle and I love to snuggle you. In the short time that you have graced this earth you have taught me a lesson of a lifetime. You have taught me that as long as your Daddy is by my side I can handle any trial or tribulation that comes my way. Thank you for that gift.

My dear children, today I realized again how blessed I am to be your mother. I thank God every day that He has given me this privilege called Motherhood. Of all of my accomplishments in life, none are greater than marrying your daddy and being your mommy. Please know that on the days I raise my voice a little too often, or my patience is just a bit too thin that I love you will all my heart and soul. I would throw myself in front of a bus or bullet or anything for you. Nothing you will ever do or say will change how I feel towards you.

I pray that the three of you will always love each other. I pray that you will not only be siblings, but choose to be friends. I pray that you let Jesus dwell in your hearts. Let Him be your guide and your path and your salvation.

I enjoy you so much while you are little and sometimes I get sad when I think of how fast it seems to be going, but I do look forward to all there is to come. I look forward to sporting events (Cael & Gabe – despite what your daddy says you will not be allowed to wrestle), and proms (Avery your dresses will include turtle necks & long sleeves), and all the other milestones along the way. I have just one favor to ask. Please don’t hurry up this business of growing up; I am going to miss it terribly when it is over.

Love, Mommy